Jewish Drug Lord Sues Prison Over Non-Kosher Food

Sponsored adThis sponsor paid to have this advertisement placed in this section.

Convicted cocaine kingpin Simon Price is suing his prison facility for "institutionalized anti-Semitism," claiming the facility is failing to meet his kosher dietary needs. Price, an Orthodox Jew, began his 28-year sentence in 2005 after being found guilty of smuggling over $53 million worth of cocaine inside drums of syrup. He is suing British prison HMP Frankland for $3,800 in damages, alleging that he had no choice in the food he was served and that both Muslim and vegetarian criminals receive more preferential treatment behind bars. Although prisoners at HMP Frankland can choose to cook for themselves, Price says that he is forced to share utensils used to prepare non-kosher food. A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice has denied his claims of the prison's "indifferent and discriminatory attitude adopted towards Jews," stating that "we are robustly defending all elements of the claim." Price was jailed in 2005 when British Revenue and Customs officer intercepted his cocaine haul of more than 1,540 pounds of the drugs, which he tried to smuggle from the South American country of Guyana into the Dutch capital of Rotterdam. He previously spent 12 years in prison for his role in a $2.3 million dollar armed robbery at Heathrow airport during the 1970s. The lawsuit comes on the heels of a recent announcement from justice secretary Chris Grayling that he intends to stop prisoners from using UK taxpayer money to sue.

McCarton Ackerman is a freelance writer and editor living in Portland, Oregon. He has been a contributor for The Fix since October 2011, writing on a wide range of topics ranging from medical marijuana in Colorado to the world's sexiest drug smugglers. Follow him on Linkedin and Twitter.

This SoCal program fosters a regimented but respectful recovery environment, where teens learn how to live sober through plenty of 12-step meetings and life-skills classes—not to mention "equine-assisted psychotherapy" and mixed martial arts.

This Huntington Beach rehab strives to make recovery accessible and fun, using creative and innovative solutions. Non-treatment hours are filled with beach-related activities such as surfing, fishing, and volleyball.

This non-12-step men's facility in Canada offers individualized and comprehensive addiction treatment which leads to personal transformation. The goal is men "who are inspired to live with a renewed sense of vitality and purpose."

This laid-back Malibu beachfront rehab charts a holistic path to recovery, which suits the twenty- and thirtysomethings who come here—you just might have to clock a few extra miles on the sand to burn off Chef Monte’s hearty home-cooking.

Sponsored adThis sponsor paid to have this advertisement placed in this section.